Author: Jadelyn Ja Lee

Story: Kith & Kin

Pairings: Lily/James (duh), Severus/OC, Remus/OC, Ron/Hermione (for now)

Disclaimer: I own Hayden, Diana, Sage, Eleanora, and Porcelina. I'm not gonna say I own the idea of Harry having a twin cause I don't think anyone owns that idea, it's so common. (shrugs) Eh. I do have to say I own this particular fic though. Anyone who wants to argue, give me hard facts. Then we'll talk.

Summery: It's the summer of Harry's fifth year and he and the rest of the wizarding world are about to get the shock of a lifetime.

Author Notes: I know this has probably been done to death but with the arrival of the seventh book and the fifth movie on the horizon, I wanted to do something. And then I went and started playing around on Photoshop and…everything spiraled from there.

Albus Dumbledore: It is my belief... that the truth is generally preferable to lies.

Prologue

The pale moon hung low in the sky as a great and wise wizard stood in its light. Albus Dumbledore's thoughts were jumbled as he gazed down at the old parchment in his hand.

He had done it. Lord Voldemort had successfully resurrected himself, just as Albus had always known he would. And as Albus had feared, Cornelius Fudge had lashed out at the very idea of the Dark Lord's return. Indeed, at that moment, Albus knew that the Daily Prophet, under Fudge's thumb, was spewing more blasphemous articles about Harry, articles most of Harry's friends knew were false.

But Harry's group of true supporters had always been small, as the rumor of Harry being Slytherin's heir two years before had proven. As long as nothing bad or seemingly evil happened around him, people would support the soon to be fifth year. Once a shadow of doubt was cast, however, his popularity would plummet. Now, with even the Prophet slandering Harry's name, he would have an even more difficult time convincing people of the truth. Not even Dumbledore's support would be able to sway everyone's beliefs.

This was a bad time to bring her back. A very bad time. She would not be believed, many would undoubtfully believe she was an attention seeking young girl, hoping to worm her way into Harry's inner circle. Dumbledore could smooth her way with the Order, as well as Harry's friends, he had no doubt of that. It would be those who no longer trusted Albus that would be the problem. And that number was steadily growing.

Albus sighed as he lit his wand and illuminated the parchment.

"Dear Headmaster,

I know you're surprised to hear from me, our agreement being I would not contact you until Harry had graduated Hogwarts.

However, with the recent emergence of the Lord Voldemort, I feel I must protest the continued separation. Yes, the world believes me dead. And no one, bar you, remembers Hayden or knows of Diana. But I know Hayden and she will not stand by and watch as Voldemort attacks again. She will want to help, in any way possible.

You see, I told her, Headmaster. I told her and Diana everything when they were eleven. I knew, in my heart, many would see my old friends in her, would question her. They did. She came home during Christmas of her first year full of questions. I could not lie to her. She's known of her adoption since she was five. She knew that the questions she was asked pertained to her true family. She knew I had been close to them. And she's perfected her mother's pout."

At that, Albus chuckled, imagining his former student's expression when facing that semi-infamous pout on Hayden's familiar features.

"She and Diana informed Sage of her true identity the summer of their second year. I must confess, I was stunned when Porcelina showed up on my doorstop with Sage. Of course, Porcelina was just as stunned, so we've decided we're even. We've become good friends, despite our past. Just as the three children have become best friends despite their parents rivalry.

When the news reached us, that you had pronounced Voldemort back, Hayden grew furious. Indeed, we had to fix several photo frames and pots that she had thrown. She wants to return, she wants him to know. She feels it is unfair that she knows the truth when he does not. Diana and Sage agree. As do I.

I will await your owl but cannot promise Hayden will not track him down herself. She's as resourceful as her parents when she gets something into her head. And I wouldn't be surprised if she pops up with Diana and Sage in tow.

Sincerely yours,

Nora"

Albus sighed as he reread the letter. So Nora had defied Albus's instructions. He couldn't say he was surprised. Nora loved those children dearly, according to his sister Agatha. He should have predicted this.

He turned from the window and approached a cabinet he usually left locked. With a muttered spell, the door opened. Inside were many objects, mostly personal effects he had wanted to keep safe. This was where he had kept James' cloak for all those years. Nestled in the back was a small chest. He withdrew it and locked the cabinet back up.

Once settled at his desk, he set the chest down. He sighed and, taking a key from a chain around his neck, he opened it to find a single photo album. He gently, reverently grasped it and took it out. He moved the chest over and replaced it with the album. He lightly ran his hand over the velvet material, the raised calligraphy. The Potter Family.

He opened it and immediately smiled at the first picture. There, settled on one of the Hogwarts beds in the Hospital wing was James and Lily, grinning at the camera and the two bundles in their arms. Albus chuckled as little Hayden waved a hand around, smashing her closed fist into James' face. Off to the side, Sirius and Remus roared with silent laughter. Lily was giggling, her expression one of absolute bliss as she gazed at her family. Baby Harry was silent as he watched the adults and baby Hayden was smiling and giggling like her molther. In the hour they'd been together, it'd been very clear that Hayden was going to be the more expressive twin.

He closed the book with a sigh. He ruffled through his desk for a few minutes before finding a piece of parchment. He grabbed his favored quill and, with a pensive expression, he began writing.